Are Various Generation Glock Mags Compatible Within A Model?

[Growlers]

Are Glock mags compatible across all Glock gens? For instance, could a G17 gen 2 mag work in a G17 gen 4 pistol? Are there any combinations that don't work together?

I'm confused because when looking at current Glocks, I don't know if my Glock mags can be used with same Glock models, different generations.

 

[PabloJ]

Don't have any experience with Gen I mags but I have used Gen II, GeIII and Gen IV in Gen IV gun. The latest one with modified plate and red follower fits Gen II gun. As far as I can tell within model they're compatible, but pre Gen IV mags are not ambi convertible.

 

[shootstraight57]

I believe the Gen 1 mags were not metal lined and used to bulge when fully loaded. They used to stick in the magwell.

 

[Riomouse911]

Ya, my Gen 1 G-17 mags are tough to use in my G-34. They are stiff to insert when fully loaded and won't drop free when empty (hafta pull them out of the grip frame).

The rounds will fire from my gun every time when I use them, so they can be used in a pinch.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The general answer is yes, since they are on about the 11th generation Glock magazines. I think the Gen 1 Glock had about 3 magazine revisions.

A more specific answer is all Glocks magazines are interchangeable up to Gen4. All Glocks mags prior to Gen4 aren't cut for the reversible magazine release

 

[Growlers]

Thanks everyone. Very helpful!

 

[torchroadster]

If you have moved the mag release on Gen 4+ guns to the right side, then only Gen 4+ magazines will work.

 

[mgmorden]

Magazines from Gen 4 pistols are backwards compatible all the way back to Gen 1 pistols.

Magazines for Gen 3 and prior pistols will work on those pistols, and will also work on a Gen 4 or Gen 5 pistol so long as you have the mag release in the standard right-handed configuration. If you want to reverse it to left-handed mode, then you need the newer Gen4+ mags.

 

[FL-NC]

If you have moved the mag release on Gen 4+ guns to the right side, then only Gen 4+ magazines will work.

This. Also, earliest mags without liners did bulge and would not drop free sometimes.

 

[Peakbagger46]

+1 on the early gen 1 mags not dropping free. I had it ingrained in me at the police academy over a decade ago to violently “rip out the trash” with the support hand while doing a combat reload.

I don’t remember any issues with those mags though, even though they were continually subjected to being bounced off the pavement.

 

[Theohazard]

All Glock magazines are compatible with the following exceptions: Glock Gen 4s and 5s with the magazine release switched to left-handed use won't work with Gen 3 and previous mags. But if you haven't switched your Glock to a left-handed mag release this isn't an issue. Also, most Gen 3 Glocks have come with Gen 4 mags for many years now, so there are fewer pre-Gen 4 mags out there.

Also, Gen 5 mags won't work in the Glock 19x since there's no cut at the front of the grip for the forward-extended floorplate.